Dish Network opens Hopper DVR platform to mobile app developers

Satellite TV provider Dish Network (NASDAQ: DISH) is opening its Hopper DVR platform to mobile software developers, a move to fuel the creation of alternative remote control and second-screen services optimized for smartphones and tablets.

Dish is opening the same third-party application programming interface used in its own Dish Explorer app for Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPad, which includes Hopper controls as well as content recommendations, information on programs trending across social media platforms, and real-time statistics for sporting events the viewer is currently watching. Dish said developers can leverage the API to create new programming discovery tools as well as Hopper controls for changing channels, setting recordings and playing back DVR and on-demand shows.

Startup Thuuz Sports has already incorporated the Dish APIs into its fantasy gaming app for iOS and Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android. Thuuz Sports processes real-time analytics and social signaling to alert viewers to can't-miss events, and allows users to customize the app based on their favorite sports, teams and leagues. Pairing the Thuuz app with the Hopper DVR enables Dish subscribers to automatically jump to the most exciting games, or record live or upcoming broadcasts, the companies said.

Dish offers more than 200 national HD television channels and serves more than 14 million satellite TV subscribers. Requests for the Hopper APIs are being accepted by email.

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